in tears

: to separate parts of or pull apart by force : rend

: to wound by or as if by pulling apart by force : lacerate

: to divide or disrupt by the pull of contrary forces

: damage from being torn (see ¹tear)

: the act of tearing something

: a hurried and violent rush : a tearing pace

: a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion

: a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face

: an act of weeping or grieving

: to fill with tears (see ³tear) : shed tears